Saratoga deputy facing additional sexual abuse charges

Four additional women have come forward, accusing a Saratoga County Sheriff’s deputy of forcing them to perform a sexual act on him while he was on the job and in uniform.

Donald A. Harder III, 29, of Hadley, was indicted in Saratoga County Court Thursday on additional 11 charges of criminal sexual act, sexual abuse, forcible touching and official misconduct, said District Attorney James A. Murphy, III.

Murphy said Thursday that four other women have spoken to police about encounters they’ve had with Harder. The district attorney added that the women were charged defendents in the Sheriff’s Department’s custody, witnesses to a crime or reporting a crime.

Harder was arrested Aug. 13 when a 27-year-old acquaintance of his told police she felt the police officer forced her to commit a sexual act on him. Harder had responded to a call to assist with a civil matter on Shields Road in Edinburg.

The grand jury had been hearing the case over the last several weeks from the alleged victims and from other law enforcement personnel.

Murphy said the cop has been suspended until the conclusion of his criminal case.